Friday, January 1, 2016

Wayne Rogers (1933-2015)

This isn't a good way to end last year, or start the new one.

Wayne Rogers, who played "Trapper" John McIntyre opposite Alan Alda as Hawkeye on M*A*S*H in its first four seasons (1972-6), passed away Thursday at 82 from pneumonia.

Leaving M*A*S*H might not have been the wisest of career moves for Rogers, as his next series, City of Angels, was cancelled after 1 season. He would follow with the series version of the movie, House Calls, assuming the role originated by Walter Matthau in the movie, co-starring with Lynn Redgrave & David Wayne. However, well before M*A*S*H, Rogers had starred in a short-lived Western, Stagecoach West (previously reviewed), which also lasted 1 season.

Courtesy of Ira Gallen's TV Days channel on YouTube, here's a promo for the show and its sponsor, Ralston-Purina. Rogers appears early on, introducing himself to viewers.



In later years, Rogers moved into real estate, and was a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel, his acting career long over, and also did commercials touting "reverse mortgages".

Rest in peace, Wayne.

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